Local teacher Kari MacRae has lost her First Amendment federal appeals case against Hanover school district after being fired for controversial TikTok videos. MacRae, who posted videos about critical race theory and gender identity while running for Bourne School Committee, eventually lost the case in Massachusetts U.S. District Court. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit upheld the decision stating that the district court got it right.
MacRae’s videos came to light after she was hired as a math and business teacher at Hanover High School, leading to her termination. The school district cited concerns about the negative impact on student learning and potential disruptions caused by her posts. MacRae sued, claiming her First Amendment rights were violated, but the court sided with the school officials.
The appeals court ruled that the district was reasonable in predicting disruptions if MacRae remained employed, as some students and teachers felt uncomfortable learning from her due to the content of her posts. The court found that the school’s decision to fire MacRae was justified in order to maintain a safe and inclusive learning environment.
MacRae, now running for a State Senate seat, has faced backlash for her views on race and gender identity. Despite her efforts to fight against her termination, the court ultimately ruled in favor of the school district. The case highlights the ongoing debate over free speech rights and the balance between expressing personal opinions and maintaining a positive educational environment.
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